By Estea Rademeyer.
The countdown is over. From 30 September, the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 will ignite in India and Sri Lanka, with eight nations chasing glory across 34 days of high-pressure cricket. With squads now confirmed, a thrilling blend of youthful exuberance and seasoned brilliance is set to take centre stage. The 2025 edition will feature 31 matches in a round-robin format, with the top four teams advancing to the semi-finals.
Future Icons in the Making
Georgia Voll – Australia
At just 22, Georgia Voll already looks the part of a future great. A classical top-order batter, she boasts 173 runs in four ODIs at an average of 57.66, including a hundred against India last December. Another century for Australia A earlier this year further underlined her potential to be the engine of Australia’s batting line-up.
Alice Capsey – England
England’s Alice Capsey, 21, is no stranger to the big stage. A genuine all-rounder, she enters the tournament fresh from an electric Hundred campaign, where she struck two fifties and claimed 12 wickets. With 26 ODI caps already, Capsey’s mix of fearless batting and useful spin makes her one of England’s most versatile options.
Flora Devonshire – New Zealand
Uncapped in ODIs, Flora Devonshire arrives on the biggest stage with plenty to prove. The left-arm off-spinner showed glimpses of promise in two T20Is against Sri Lanka earlier this year, and New Zealand will look to her to provide control in the middle overs.
Annerie Dercksen – South Africa
Winner of the ICC Emerging Cricketer of the Year Award in 2024, Annerie Dercksen is a true all-rounder. Averaging over 36 with the bat and under 28 with the ball, she recently smashed a century from No. 7 against Sri Lanka. Few players bring her balance of aggression and consistency.
Kranti Gaud – India
In home conditions, pace bowling is a rare weapon, but Kranti Gaud has shown she can thrive. With just six ODIs under her belt, the 22-year-old has already taken six for 52 in England, joining Bumrah and Kuldeep in a select club. Her average of 18.53 makes her India’s X-factor bowler.
Seasoned Stars and Returnees
The tournament also sees the return of familiar faces. Australia’s Sophie Molineux is back from a knee injury, ready to exploit spin-friendly pitches. England’s Charlie Dean, another crafty spinner, is also set to play a central role.
Among batters, South Africa’s Tazmin Brits and India’s Smriti Mandhana are in red-hot form, with four ODI hundreds apiece this year. Pakistan’s Sidra Amin also arrives in the prime of her career. For England’s Heather Knight, this World Cup marks her first since stepping down as captain, though her presence remains crucial.
Fresh Faces on the Global Stage
India’s Pratika Rawal has been a revelation since debuting just ten months ago. With six fifties and a century in 17 innings at an average of 50.12, she is already integral to India’s batting line-up.
England spinner Linsey Smith burst onto the ODI scene with a five-for on debut against West Indies in May, having waited more than six years since her T20I debut for the chance.
Pakistan’s Sadia Iqbal, a left-arm spinner, finally gets her first ODI World Cup after establishing herself as a reliable wicket-taker in recent years.
And remarkably, this will be Jemimah Rodrigues’ first appearance in a 50-over World Cup. A seasoned T20 star, she now has the chance to stamp her authority in the longer format.
Farewell Campaigns for Legends
While new faces emerge, several icons could be making their final bow. New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine, Australia’s Megan Schutt and Alyssa Healy, and veterans like Suzie Bates, Marizanne Kapp, Chamari Athapaththu, and Heather Knight may all be featuring in their last World Cup. India’s Harmanpreet Kaur, who will be 40 by the next edition, may also be on her farewell lap.